The “box man” – what my four-year-old son calls the UPS delivery person – dropped off a new pair of running shoes last week. All the kids gathered around in anxious anticipation while I opened it and tried them on. Then the questions came. I swear the White House press corps has nothing on my kids when it comes to asking tough questions.

Q: Are you going to go running right now?

A: No. I just had dinner. I can’t run on a full stomach.

Q: Can I try them on?

A: Sure.

Q: Will these shoes help you run fast?

A: Yes, they’ll help me run fast.

Q: Will you be able to run fast like Mom [Marathon Girl]?

A: Probably not.

Q: Why does Mom run faster than you?

A: Because she’s a gifted athlete.

~blank stares from kids~

A: Let me rephrase. Mom is very a very fast runner. Not everyone can run fast like mom.

Q: Why?

A: Some people are fast runners while other people are good at baseball players. Everyone’s good at different things.